NRA offers insurance policy that could embolden members to shoot first

Gun control advocates argue that “murder insurance” will embolden people to shoot.

Shoot first, show your insurance card later.

A National Rifle Association-backed insurance policy for members who shoot another person is drawing scrutiny from gun control advocates who argue that the so-called "murder insurance" will embolden people to shoot.

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Guns Down America released an ad Thursday featuring Sybrina Fulton — the mother of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed black teen shot to death five years ago — in opposition of "Carry Guard" insurance.

"They spend millions lobbying for laws that allow them to 'shoot first' and 'stand their ground," she said in the video. "But that just makes it easier for them to get away with murder."

Critics are worried cases like the 2012 killing of Martin — in which shooter George Zimmerman was protected under Florida's controversial "Stand Your Ground" law — could become more common due to the insurance policies.

A new ad campaign by a gun-control group targets the NRA's Carry Guard insurance plan. (nracarryguard.com)

How it works

Like most other insurance plans, the NRA's offers different benefits depending on how much a member pays.

The entry-level "Bronze" plan offers $250,000 in civil protection and $50,000 in criminal defense for $13.95 each month, according to its website.

"Gold Plus" is Carry Guard's premium plan. For a monthly payment of $49.95 a month — or $549.95 per year — cardholders are covered for $1.5 million in civil defense and $250,000 in criminal defense.

Insurance giant Chubb is underwriting the policies, which are being administered by Lockton Affinity.

Each policy card comes with instructions for "if you are forced to act in lawful self-defense," starting with calling the police.

Once cops arrive, the shooter is advised to identify the suspected attacker but remain silent until his or her attorney arrives.

The program's website also bills full spousal coverage, a one-year NRA membership and access to gun safety training.

NRA chief Wayne LaPierre is quoted on Carry Guard's website urging those who sign up to take "the most comprehensive training curriculum ever developed for men and women who carry firearms."

Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, slammed the insurance companies working with the NRA. (Guns Down America via Youtube)

Why people are so upset about it

Training is one of the points of criticism since the insurance was rolled out in April.

Despite the urge for policyholders to take classes, people with the insurance aren't required to undergo training.

Civilian gun trainers certified with the NRA have been upset that Carry Guard's site lists four military veterans as instructors tied to the program.

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"Someone who is ex-military even an ex-military trainer is not necessarily qualified to train civilians in concealed carry training since it is two completely different worlds," Robert Boilard, an NRA-approved teacher from New Hampshire wrote on his blog. "Military training is offensive in nature but in the civilian world it is defensive training."

"Also, think of the way it looks to the public that now the 'NRA is using Navy Seals to teach civilians on how to kill people,'" he continued.

Additionally, Carry Guard could create a "moral hazard" in which a gun owner might be more inclined to shoot someone because he or she is covered by insurance, said insurance expert Peter Kochenburger to the Associated Press.

Guns Down, which recently created the anti-Carry Guard ad, believes many of those targets will be black and brown men.

Its video campaign with Fulton features clips of recent white nationalist rallies, surveillance video of Charleston shooter Dylann Roof and a photo of Zimmerman.

Fulton takes particular aim at Chubb and Lockton, which she says are only empowering people to keep using the "stand your ground" defense.

"Now they're selling insurance that covers the costs when a gun owner kills someone and gets away with self-defense," she says in the minute-and-a-half video.

"Tell them that if they keep offering murder insurance, they'll never get your business," she continues.

The video features footage from various shooting incidents, including the 2015 one of a Charleston church. (Guns Down America via Youtube)

Why some think it's a good idea

Kochenburger, the insurance maven, said having such a program could entice people to get more safety training in exchange for better rates.

The NRA pushed the new program at its annual convention this summer.

In August the NRA held its first Carry Guard expo in Milwaukee to help grow the insurance plan.

"It's a one-stop shop of a self-protection insurance program, advanced training, beginning training for those who want to protect themselves with a firearm," Josh Powell, the NRA's chief of staff, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel at the expo.

But the top executive dismissed suggestions the NRA would support a requirement concealed-carry permit holders to get insurance.

"We absolutely are not interested whatsoever in having any mandates around this at all," Powell told the Journal Sentinel. "Period."

Chubb told the AP it offers all sorts of insurance, and noted Carry Guard encouraged the safety training. Lockton declined to comment.